Category Archives: Adventures

Adventures Dailies Foreign Music

Sunset of a song

February 6, 2012 – 9:16 PM

I have been sitting on this for some time and have been thinking to myself quietly. I have to say that my solitude and relative freedom from distraction have given me the energy to devote myself to learning new things and taking care of my body. I fell ill my first few days in America and I suspected that these were withdrawal symptoms from all the things I thought my body was tough enough to handle. Now that I’m better I don’t look for it anymore.

I guess all forms of transformation go through some precipice.

Sunset while driving up to Los Angeles.

I’ve been fighting for peace of mind and acceptance. However, there are times when I stumble on thoughts that upon looking back with rationality, I ought to have dismissed. I promised myself that after this post I will never again speak on the subject again. After this post.

Months ago, I had been listening to a song as I always do when my heart is afloat. This song carried me through those days that I would look forward to see and hear from a certain someone. It captured how I felt about her at that time.

Right now I am marinating in the tragic implication of the song: how as time passed she relates to it with no connection to the time we shared whatsoever. It feels like…I am moved by a musician’s song not intended for me. That’s fine. That’s life.

And so I looked for other versions and I found one by The Kooks that still has that uppity beat I love about it. It’s imperative not to be a slave to something I like – the song for instance. It’s just a song, I tell myself. The one I found is different in many ways from the original, but it still carries the same poignant theme no matter how I listen to it.

The Kooks – Young Folks [ Download ]

Time to put this song to sleep and find another one.

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Adventures Dailies Folk

Landed

January 28, 2012 – 2:03 AM

Pretty much what it LA looks like from the plane (c/o: TG Daily)

About forty minutes flying in to Los Angeles, you are greeted by an aerial view of rocky terrains, deserts, (what looked to me as) solar farms and block after block of gray little boxes. Trees are spaced every few blocks, unlike back home where there are lush landscapes covered in green not too far from the city. If they say the Philippines is in bad shape in terms of forest cover, I think this part of the states will clearly put up a stiff competition. It is instead a sprawl of concrete from coast to in-land. The good thing though is that every thing seems a lot cleaner, a lot more organized… But then again, these are just first impressions.

I live about 45 minutes away from LAX. The drive was seamless, freeway after freeway. On the road, my mom put the radio on at KIIS FM, which is not a surprise. I suddenly remembered my good old days as a disc jock and getting samplers from the station – music imports of hits. In fact, stations like KIIS make hits which trickle down to the rest of the world. Somehow it came full circle, being in the place of the hit maker. I then asked my mom what she considers driving music. Apart from listening to KIIS, she was in to a lot of old stuff, not surprisingly. But that’s cool.

When I put on my mom’s CD, her friend who accompanied her was surprised that I didn’t mind the music. According to her, I wasn’t even born at the time. True. I explained I have a WIDE taste in music and didn’t mind listening to some oldies when I’m in the mood.

Welcome to America, Kim.

Here’s the soundtrack of my ride to my new home. I have to say, yesterday’s weather was perfect. It’s true what they say, it’s always sunny in…you know where I am.

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Adventures Folk Music Playlists Pop

Out-of-town-ness Pt. 2: Five years from now

January 12, 2012 – 11:39 AM

My mission for today: I had to take a two-hour trip to another city to meet up with with an old friend. We talked about life, work, friends and inevitably, love (or lack thereof). We initially planned a sit-and-go – that is to meet up for an hour and head back to our lives. If he didn’t leave in an hour he’d miss the bus to a barge that would take him home and I would miss a free ride back to my next “pitstop”. An hour just wouldn’t cut it for me so…I made an executive decision: I convinced him myself to spend the night in the city.

To which he agreed, before realizing the consequence. He later realized that we had roughly about 12 hours to kill.

“So where are we going?” I asked him.

“I don’t know…” he said, as panic crept up in his expression.

“But you’re supposed to know this city better than I do!”

He looked dumbfounded.

I got up and went to the counter of the coffee shop. Shortly after I asked a few questions, I went back to our table and started packing up.

“Uh…where are we going?” he asked me.

“Trust me.”

“Do you know where we’re going?”

“I think so.”

In the jeep, my friend looked uncomfortable.

“Looks like I’m taking you out of your comfort zone.” I said to him.

He nods.

We finally reached our destination. It is a quaint place in the other side of town called, “The Strip”. Literally. There’s a sign that says so.

We found a place where we could have a warm cheap-ass meal and we decided to have a few drinks.

Over drinks the man could barely hold his alcohol. And then he said, “This is so new to me and yet you do this all the time…these spontaneous trips. My life, on the other hand, is summarized like this: work and home…” After a few more drinks and some issues sorted, he drawls, “You know, I haven’t talked like this with anyone in eight months!”

I just smiled. Mission accomplished.

We capped the night in a corner store with a videoke coin-slot machine. He dedicated the songs, “Puff the magic dragon” and “Leaving on a Jet plane” to me. I understood why he picked the latter song…but PUFF THE MAGIC FRIGGIN DRAGON?! The former on the hand, if taken literally, is a fucked up song about this dragon who eventually lost his friend which prompted him to become a recluse. Gee.

Never too old for videoke.

We exited when the table next to us started singing Aegis. On our way out he said to me, “Let’s meet here five years later. Same place.”

I’m writing this down to remember and also because he snores like an ox. Damn it. I guess I’m going to have to sleep it off in the bus.

Note to self: Tomorrow is my last pitstop before I head back to homebase. I think it’s just about the right time.

For tonight’s playlist, I thought I’d pepper it with a bit of nostalgia. As I always say, things are a lot more memorable when you experience them in a new place. If you happen to have a listen, try doing so somewhere new, somewhere outside your comfort zone. Take your laptop outdoors or load the song in your player and listen to it while you drive your way to work or school. Hopefully…hopefully, you’ll remember this post even after five years.

Eva Cassidy – Fields Of Gold [ Download ]

Adele – Hometown Glory (Hotel Cafe Live) [ Download ]

Peter, Paul & Mary – Puff The Magic Dragon [ Download ]

Paul Simon – Love And Hard Times [ Download ]

Sean Lennon – Tomorrow [ Download ]

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Adventures Dubstep Electronic Foreign Indie Playlists

Out-of-town-ness

January 11, 2012 – 1:29 PM

I just love the feeling of being out of town. It opens your eyes to a lot of things. Over the past few days I’ve had a sampling of various types of hospitality. I’m pleased to have met the friendliest people from the different towns I’ve visited. By friendly, I mean you end up dancing together after having just met that day. There’s no shade of pretentiousness in the way they extend their fun and good will. Then there are those people whose town has been through the most devastating disaster, be it caused by nature or man, but manage to smile and laugh with you. These places and people are inspiring.

If you want to search yourself look for inspiration. Simply, travel.

On the road. Where the heck am I?

On the road I’ve been listening to some tunes that are completely off-tangent from what people usually find me listening to. It’s a mix of post-punk with classic bass licks, dubstep, electro-pop, post-punk, and a few…chipmunks?! No, seriously. It has upped my mood tremendously so have a listen if you want some cheer. Traveling is supposed to refresh your perspective…revitalize you. Today’s playlist sort of represents that.

Recommendation: For ideal listening, grab all the songs by right clicking and save target/link as an mp3 file. Play in the order suggested here and if you know how to set up crossfade on your music player, set it at 8. Enjoy!

Starfucker – Girls just want to have fun (cover) [ Download ]

League – Golden Maps [ Download ]

Get People – Away [ Download ]

Kastle – I know [ Download ]

Cassius – I love you so [ Download ]

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Adventures Dailies Mindanao The "South"

Hitchhiking Buda

April 21, 2009 – 9:59 AM

 

Inside the Red Ball Express

On board the Red Ball Express

The road from Bukidnon to Davao is the last stretch for cargo trucks en route from other parts of Mindanao to the trade port at Sasa, and as told to us by manong ”Gerry” a driver of 12 years, it is the most arduous.  The road is full of abrupt curves and rocky parts that ought to be driven on with caution, especially in the dark.  Many deaths have occurred along this path and in Gerry’s career he can name a few of his colleagues.  He laments as he points out an area with an abandoned truck at the side of the road, “Katong usa ka biyernes dara namatay tong kauban nako.” (Just last friday, one of my colleagues died right there).  There was a black stain on the street that looked like mud, which Gerry morbidly insisted was blood.

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Adventures Dailies Events Foreign Local Mindanao Music The "South"

Oh God, I’m back! (With tons of explaining to do…)

July 20, 2007 – 3:02 PM

I have been going around Mindanao and have had little time to be in front of the computer in the most comfortable blogging position (which I argue is absolutely necessary, as I’m sure some of you might agree)! Moreover, I have been struggling to get some music back into my system at late since the climate of my career has not been very flexible on that extent. Seriously, I make an effort! I try to steal time to listen to Smashing Pumpkin‘s newest album entitled, Zeitgeist, their come-back album with a sound reminiscent of old goddamn school 90′s rock. If you’re a purist and you’re about to start dissing grunge, close this window right this instant!

Anyway.

It’s been an interesting month, thus far. And I can say the same thing about the previous month. I went to Cagayan to check out the music scene there and quite frankly, I was impressed. My heart bled over the fact that the Cagayan music scene seems more enthusiastic and more, shall I say, formidable compared to Davao’s. Not that I’m dissing our locals, no no. My point is, I wish the scene here would grow in terms of musical taste, and maybe even music support.
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Adventures Dailies Davao Events Food The "South"

My Davao cuisine photo contest entry no. 1

May 25, 2007 – 1:09 AM

This is my 1st entry for the Davao cuisine.

[photopress:DinerBlues.jpg,full,centered]

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Adventures Davao Local Music

The underground

October 3, 2006 – 6:47 PM

Over the week I’ve sat in conversations with my bandmates on stuff like how the Davao underground music scene is doing. Sad to say, the shape sounds pretty bad. It isn’t like last summer, when there were prime spots as to where underground bands could play, i.e. the now d’funked G Rock bar and Mastul. Seeing as both establishments closed down already, with Moonstomp as the only place condusive to the kind of music indie bands play (consider how the place can’t sufficiently accomodate the whole lot of a local indie crowd – which is pretty immense, mind you), then problems still pose itself for bands who want to come up with a successful gig. And by successful, the pre-requisites are pretty simple: We invest time and money over band practices just to get exposure and if possible enough money to buy booze to last the rest of the night.

Going along the vision to come up with a successful gig in spite of scarce incentives as well as problems on actually finding a venue, Davao indie productions Don’t Record Records and Red hat are teaming up for an Octoberfest gig. I say kudos to that, realizing how it’s hard enough to keep indie bands from staying together because of the lack of avenues and more so, making sure that the integrity of the kind of music they play do not sway to the masses or for venues that require underground bands to turn a leaf for the showbandish just so they can get a gig (i.e. Taboan or even San Miguel).

Reality tells us that Davao may have all the musical talent it requires to warm up a mature music scene, but there isn’t enough production force to keep the scene intact.

***

Listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley lately. Personally, my take on Jamie Cullum‘s jazz cover of Buckley’s Lover, you should have come over is more on the no no. Nothing can beat Buckley when he makes the most heartbreaking ballads I’ve ever heard. If you can call it a ballad.

Narda‘s out in Davao by the way. CDs are available in the nearest Oddysey record stores near you.

***

More announcements! I have gig with my band Tramonto at Myx-a-tune (Juan Luna St.) 7-ish up this October 14. Please support!

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Adventures Dailies Davao Indie Local Music The "South"

Extra-planetary life action

September 10, 2006 – 10:05 PM

I almost forgot to mention about this new bar that opened up at McArthur Highway (right next to the old Petron gas station and in front of Ateneo high). It’s called Moonstomp and the place is very Mayrics-ish. I swear, I have found my Ibiza! It’s owned by one of the coolest people you notice around Davao city, if you get out enough.

Last night, they had party punk acts and some electronica. The only band whose name I caught was the one my friend Pink was with, Gravity 404. Loved their set (or at least half of it, because that was all I caught up with). In any case, it’s actually peculiar that I suddenly had the urge to text Jaenor (this guy who has been asking me to session for their band, who I’ve never met in my life) to ask if the offer was still up. And the next day he replied and told me that it was still open. The weirder part is, he was actually in Moonstomp the night I was there and he was with the band I just mentioned. Whoohoo. So at least I know I’m with the right people. (Smiles.) Can’t wait for Wednesday’s jam session.

I really want to start a shoegazer band, but I don’t think anyone’s in to that here. Which reminds me, I miss my bandmates! One’s in Cebu, another’s in US, and then another’s in Manila. Come on, give me a break kids. Davao’s the place to be at this point. We ought to warm up on the scene here.

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Adventures Dailies Music

Interesting? Condescending!

September 8, 2006 – 6:22 PM

I joined a DJ hunt for UR97 just for kicks and for some reason, I’m actually looking forward to advance in this thing. I mean, the way I see it, if I start working as a jock, I’d be earning money. And the money can go to things I want to spend on for example, a ticket back to Manila. Yes, I’m doing the math already.

I mean, how did that go? If my audition meant anything, it certainly would not be nerve-racking. It’s strange enough that it was all too natural to me. Talking. Talking. Talking. And music seemed like a surplus of thought rather than a forefront, because it’s like my second nature already. I was already thinking about how immensely exciting it would be to get to host rock shows if ever I get in. I mean, beat free tickets, y’all! More bands to review for this website!

Okay, okay, maybe I’m getting too excited and I might get my own medicine by not making it eventually. I’m supposed to hear about the results later, but something tells me that if they don’t find anyone promising from the DJ hunt they’ll be holding in other schools – well, well, well.

I’m doing my math already.

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